Dispensing structure



Aug. 29, 1933. LODGE 1,924,561

DI SPENS ING STRUCTURE Filed March 15, 1932 [NVEN TOR.

2 ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 29, 1933 UNITED STATES DISPENSING STRUCTURE Edwin W. Lodge, Haddonfield, N. J., assignor of one-half to Lowder T. Layton, Merion, Pa.

Application March 15,1932. Serial No. 598,921 1 ,17 Claims. (01. 22 e dispensed or discharged; the closure member,.'

. after predetermined movement longitudinally of the spout, reaches a position in which it coacts with a detent or equivalent whichlimits its ro-' tation with respect to .the spout toan extent preventing withdrawal of the closure member from the spout, while permitting it to rotate to an extent to open or close a dispensing passage. 20. Further in accordance with my invention there is initially disposed between the spout and the closure member a gasket, disc or equivalent means, for sealing the discharge opening of the spout to prevent egress of material from the container, and the gasket or disc is of such thickness that','until its removal for initial use of the dispensing structure, it prevents the closure member taking the aforesaid position in which it is,

"controlled by the aforesaid d etent to prevent its loss or removal from the spout.

Further in accordance with my invention means are provided for compressing or pinching the closure member to seal its discharge when the closure member is rotatedfrom dispensing position to positionin which the discharge passage'is closed. 1

My invention resides in the features of structure, arrangement and cooperation of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

My structure, while applicable to-containers o1 varioustypes aforesaid, is particularly useful in connection with collapsible or compressible tubes containing semi-fluids or paste, particularly tooth-paste, shaving cream, and the like.

For the purposes of description. of my invention, my structure is, as hereinafter illustrated and described, applied to a collapsible on compressible tube.

For illustration of some of the various forms my invention" may take, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig; I is a verticalsectional view, partly in elevation, of structure embodying my invention; j Figs. 2 and 3 are views of the structure of cessive positions;

' Within the uppe Fig. 1 with the cap in two' further rid Su Fig. dis a top plan view of the container and. its spoutyjwithout the cap;

Fig. 5- is" an elevationalview the spout partly in section, of the container and spout,fwithout' the cap; 7

PAT FI E Fig. 6 is'a'vertical sectional viewof thecal i Fig. 6a is a bottom plan; view of the cap;- Fig. 6b is a top plan view ofthe ca'p'; i

'Fig. T is a plan View of the upper endfofthe Spout; i

Figs. 8 and 8a are, respectively,developments into a plane of the spout and the top of the container; r V

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectionalvie'w, partly in ele vation, of a modified form: of my construction;- Fig. 10 is a plan view of the lug supporting member of Fig.9} Fig. 10a is a sectionalview taken on the line X-X of Fig. 10.

Referring to Fig. 1, C is a container of soft or compressible metal such astin; alloyjaluminum, or the like, and generically represents any' container, of any material, whether rigid or compressible, including bottles, F cans'and the like.

Upstanding from its top -1-is the cylindrical spout,

neck or nipple 2, having the passage or bore 2a I l communicatingwiththinteribr. of the container I C and closed off at its upper end by an integral diaphragm or plate 3 havingthe off center or thread 5, or equivalent, with which meshes or coacts thethread 6,'or equivalent, at the lower portion of the cap or closure member '7, of metal, bakelite or the like. In the end or top 8 of the. cap is provided a slot or aperture 9 adapted to be brought into register with theaforesaid aperturel4. 1 I 1 end of the cap, '7 isa disc or gasket, or equivalent means 10 of cork orother equivalent or suitable material, compressed be-' tween-the end 8 of the cap and the end 301 the spout, by screwing the cap downwardly upon the spout; This gasket eifectually seals the struck ture against egress of contents of the containerf C from the timethe latter is filled or charged until its initialemploym'ent by theultimate user. V l

in the lowerend or face'of the cap '7, as inits, flange ll, is an arcuate'slot 12. i

" The spoutthread '5' terminates a' substantialf distance above the top 1 of "the container'. fBetween the lower end of the thread 5 and. thetop is provided a-thread 1'3; or equivalent, adapted sition of the thread 13 with respect to the lower end of the thread 5 are such that the thread 6 may pass 01? and be free from the thread 5 before meshing with the thread 13;

Projecting upwardly from the container top 1, and suitably positioned circumferentially of the spout 2 with respect to the lower terminal of the thread 5, is a lug, detent or equivalent member 14, having any suitable shape, and if desired of greater extent circumferentially of the spout 7 than showmadapted to enterthe aforesaid slot,

grooveor recess 12, whose wall at its ends pref-u erably is at'a great angle, as 90 degrees, with respect to the lower end face of cap 7.

To place the structure in condition for firs V delivery of material'from the container C through the passage 2a, and apertures 4 and 9, the user unscrews the cap 7 fromthe spout 2, removes the 'disc or gasket 10, replaces the cap upon the spout '2 .and by rotation threads it downwardly along the spout 2 until the thread 6. passes beyond and is free from the lower end of the thread 5, to a position illustrated by Fig. 2., In this position the thread 6 .is free of the spout, in the. space between the thread 13 and the lower end of the thread 5. The cap is thenrather loose upon the spout and its lower face or end abuts against the lug or detent 14. At or adjacent this position the cap '7 is freely rotatable about the spout 2 without moving in either direction longitudinally thereof. The freedom of the cap '7 permits it to tilt over slightly toward one side while in engagement with the lug 14 which holds the cap up with thread 6 against thread 5, though those threads are now no longer inrnesh; after suitable rotation of the cap 7 while bearing on lug 14, thelug will enter and remainin the groove or channel 12, when the cap '7 can be righted to position co.- axi'al with the spout 2, as generally indicated by Fig. 3, inwhich, however, the cap has been further rotated. Whatever resilience or yielding there is or may be in the parts when the cap bears upon the lug, causes the lug on reaching slot 12 to spring into it and resist removal therefrom.

The cap now can be rotated through an are which is restricted as to its extent by the arcuate length of the groove or slot 12. With the lug 14 in the slot 12, it is impossible to rotate cap 7 to cause lug 14 to leave slot 12 as would be necessary again tobring thread 6 to position again to mesh with end of the thread 5. The capis therefore irremovable and is prevented from accidental loss,

because it isrin efiect locked or prevented from removal from the spout 2.

' The rotatable movement of the cap 7 when thread 6 is freeof both the threads 5 and 13, per mits theaperture 9 in the cap 7. to be brought into register with the aperture 4 .in the spout 2,

- hereupon-materialmay be dispensed from con- .tainer ,C;;=th e apertures 4 and 9 come into register when oneend'of slot 12 comes into engagement "with. lug 14. Upon the return rotation of the cap 7 the aperture 9 is moved out of register The thread 13 may have.

with aperture 4 and material can no longer be dispensed from the container. The rotation of the cap, when free of the threads 5 and 13 and while lug 14 is in slot 12, may be such as to bring the cap thread 6 into engagement with the thread 13 the position indicated in Fig. 3, with the result that the cap 7 will be drawn downwardly as it is rotated, compressing or pinchingitsupper end 8 on to the end 3 of the spout, and at the limit of such movement-the apertures 9 and 4 are out of register, sealing the structure. The slot 12 is preferably of such length, and thread 13 so positioned, that in returning the capv from position in which apertures 4 and 9 register the threads comes into mesh with thread 13 before lug 14 is engaged by the other end of theslot, and completion of compression movement of the cap by action of threads 5 and 13 may be completed without said other end of the slot ever engaging lug14.

It will be understood, however, that the thread 6 may be in mesh with the thread 13 throughout any suitable portion of the rotative movement of the cap permitted by the lug 14 and slot 12 the threads 6 and 13 may be in mesh throughoutsuch portion of rotation of the cap 7 as to bring the apertures 4 and 9 into and out of register, and beyond register to compress the cap upon the spout. As indicated in Fig. 3, the threads 6 and 13 are in'mesh when the apertures 4 and 9 are not in register.

The aperture 4, lower end of thread 5, thread 13, and lug 14 are in relative positions generally indicated in Figs. '7, 8 and 8a; the general relative positions of these parts are illustrated also by Figs. ,4 and 5; The thread 5, spout 2, thread 13 and the top 1 of the container are shown dcveloped into a plane, Figs. 8 and 8a; and the upper end of the thread 6, the aperture 9 and the slot 12 of the cap are positioned relatively to each other as generally indicated inFigs. 6, 6a and 62), whereby with the lug 14 in slot 12 the cap is irremovable, or may not be lost ofii'rom the spout 2, and yet may bring the apertures 4 and 9 into a and out of register with each other, and, upon coaction with thread 13, may clamp or pinch the upper end of the cap 7 down upon the upper end of the spout 2; tightly to seal the aperture 4 in the latter. 1 V Fig. 2 illustrates the first stage in the more significant position of the cap, to wit, that in which it is free of the spout and rotatable with respect thereto for opening and closing the dispensing passage, and in which it is restrained, by

of mountingof the lug or detent which engages in the cap slot 12. In this case there is provided a support 15, preferably of resilient metal, wire or sheet. Member 15 is separately illustrated in Figs. 10 and 10a-at its inner end partially em,-

bracing or wholly surrounding the spout .2 which extends through the recess or hole 15a in member 15. At its other end member 15 is provided with a hole 15b which receives the post orlug 16,011

the top of the container C. v In brief, the member 15 is mounted upon a lug or post 16 whose upper end may be peened or worked over to prevent dislodgment. Laterally from the recess or hole 15a the member 15 is slitted, as indicated at 15c. 15c. to form a tongue 17 which is bent up, to 5 form the detent or lug 14' to enter and remain in the "cap slot or groove 12 to cooperatetherewith upper'end of the spout.

threaded down upon the spout to a region in" 'as does the-lug'or detent 14 inFigsL l3- 'The member '15, or tongue 17, or both, are resilient, or

yield under pressure of the cap '7 upon" lug 14, the

latter upon further rotation of the cap, as ,above 1 ,xwnat-r claim is:

' cated' in Fig. 3.

, As before. the cap 7 is rotated, within' the limits permitted by the slot 12', to bring apertures sand 9 into and out of register; and again the thread '13 may'bejproyided] to meshwith the cap 1 thread 6 during anyjsu'itableproportion of the rotation of the cap, and especially for compressing or pinching the upper end of the cap upon" the It shall be further understood of a construction generally of a character shown in Figi 9 that the thread 5 1ipon the spout may be of such length that the'cap thread, B-remains at all times in mesh therewith;' in such case thec'ap 'may be first removed to remove the gasket 10, Fig. 1, and then which the detentor lug 14 engages in the cap slot 1 2 inwhich it is then allowedto remain preventing thecap from such extent of rotation as to withdraw it up'wardly] upon the spout from said region but nevertheless permitting the apertures 4-, and 9 tobe brought into and outof register. In this case,-while the cap remains threaded to the spout, itsrotation with respect to the spout in said region after entry of the lug 14' into the slot 12 permits anaction generally similar to that 1 described in connection with Fig. 9. The length of theslot 12, however, may be such that upon screwing the cap stillfurther down onthe spout,

its end 8 will be compressed or. pinched against the end of the spout 2 with apertures-,4 and 9:

out of registerrthe lug 14 still remaining in the slot 12.

It will be understood of both modificatiensthat the extra thread 13 upon the spout 2 is.optional and not essential. If omitted, thecap '7 may nevertheless be rotated, within the limits' permitted by lug in the slot '12, to bring the apertures 4 and9 into and out of register. The thread 13, or any equivalent structure, when engaged by the cap serves to perform an additionalfuncticn, viz.,

the compression of the upper end of the cap tightly upon the upper end of the spout. V Ordinarily a rotative movement of about of the ca '7,'w'ith thedug 14 or 14' in the groove 12,

is sufficient to bring the cap and spout apertures into and out of register; however, the slot 12 is of greater arcuate length than necessary for that purpose,to permit the cap thread 6 to mesh with the thread 13 and move thereon for compressing the upper end of the cap upon the upper end of the spout withoutlbringingtheir apertures into register.

It will be understood that the lug 14 or 14 may be carried byjthe cap 7, andthe coacting slot 121 may be formed in the top lof the container 0.,

ventingfremeshing or saidthreadsf 7 r "3; Incomb'ination, a dispensin'g'spout, athread threads-5 and 6 upon the spout and cap, there may be employed any other equivalent mutually meshing or cooperating format-ionson thejspout and cap to effect relative movementsand functi' on's of the character hereinbeiore described.

7 lb-In combination, a" dispensing spout, a'fclosuremember therefor, saiduspout and' member having mutually engagingiormations', said 010-" sure member; movable alongsaid spout to a posi-' tion where said formations disengage leaving the closure member free to'rotate, with, respect to the spout to-iopen and close a discharge passage;

and meansfor retaining said olosure member in engagement of said-formations.

' 2.- In combinatioma' dispensing spout, a thread thereon,-a closure member having athread meshing with the spoutthread and passing off the latter to -position in which the closure member :is

freely rotatable with respect'to the, spout to open and close a discharge passage, and-means prethereom'a closure member'having a thread mesh-Q ing with the spout thread and passing ,ofi the latter to position inwhich'the'closure member is freely rotatable with respect-to the spout to open and close a discharge passagd'said closure -member having a slot, and a member extendingv into said slot when said closure member is in the position aforesaid, to prevent removal of said closure member from said spout.

4. In combinationa'dispensing spout, a thread thereon, a closure member having a-thread mesh-f ing with the spout thread andfpassing oil the latter to position in which the closure member is freely rotatable with respect to-the spout ,to

open and close a discharge passage, saidclosure, member having a slot, and-fa member extending S into said slot for limiting the rotation ofsai'd" closure member in the'position aforesaid 5. Incombination, a dispensing spout, a thread thereon, a closure member having a threadY1nesh-. ing with the spout thread and passing oif the latter to'position in which the closure member is freely rotatable with respectto the spout to open and close a discharge passage, said closure mem-' her having a slot, and a'member extending into said slot for'limiting the rotation of said closure member in the position aforesaid, said slot hava ingffan arcuate extent 'andpositioned with re-' spect' to said closure member to prevent remeshing of said threads;

j 6. In combination, a dispensing spout, a thread thereon, a closure member havinga thread mesh mg with the'spoutthread and passing off the latter to positiorrin which the closure member is freely rotatable withre'spect to the spout to open and close a discharge passage, said closure member having a slot, a member engaged by said closure member during rotation. of saidclosure memher to position in which said memberj extends into said slot for retaining said closure member in said position.

7. In combination, adispensing spout, a thread thereon, a closure member havinga thread mesh-' ing with the spoutthread and passing ofi? the latter to position in which the'closure member is, freely rotatable with respect to the spout to open and'close a discharge passage, said closure memher having a slot,,and a member engaged by "said v :Said closure member and tilted thereby during It will further be understood thatin lieu of the rotation of Said. closure member to position; in-

use f said position to'prevent return to position for re :90

said closure member in said position.

which said member extends into said slotforretaining said closure member in said position.

.8. In combination,a dispensing spout, a thread thereon, a closure member having a thread meshing with the spout thread and passing ofi the latter to position in which the closure member is freely rotatable with respect to the spout to open andcloseja discharge passage, said closurememher having a slot, and a member engaged by said closure member and thrusting the thread of said closure member'against said spout thread. after said closure member reaches said-position and during rotation of said closure member in said position, said member, upon further rotation of said closure member, entering said slot to retain 9. In combination, a container, a dispensing spout thereon, a thread on said spout, a closure member having a thread meshingwith the spout thread and passing oir thelatter to position in which the closure member is freely rotatable with respect to the spout to open and close a discharge passage, said closure member having a slot, and

a member fixed on said container extending into said slot,fw hen said closuremember is in the position aforesaid,.to prevent removal of. said closure member from said spout. v

10. In combination, a container, a dispensing spout thereon, a thread on said spout, a closure member. having ,a threadmeshing with the spout thread; and passing off the latter to position in which the closure' member is freely rotatable with respect to the spout toiopen and close a discharge passage, said closure member having a slot, a member fixed on saidcontainer extending;

into said slot for limiting'the rotation of said closure member in. the position aforesaid said "slot having an arcuate extent and positioned with respect to said closure member to prevent remeshing of said threads.

. 11. In combination, a container, a dispensing spout thereon, a thread on said spout, a closure member having a thread meshin with the spout 7 thread and passing off the latter to position in which the closure member is freelyfrotatable with respect to the spout to open and close a discharge passage, saidclosure member having a slot, a member yielding. when engaged by said closure member and upon rotation of said closure member entering said slot for, limiting the rotation of said closure member in the position aforesaid, said slot having an arcuate extent and positionedwith respect'to saidclosure member to prevent remeshing of said threads.

12. In combination, acontainer, a dispensing spout thereon, a thread on said spout, a closure member having a thread meshingwith the spout thread and passing. off the latter to position in which the closure member is freely rotatable with respect to the spout to openand close a discharge passage, a member embracing said spout and mounted on said containeiyand a detent member carried by said member and extending'into said slot, when said closure member isin the position aforesaid, to prevent removal of said closure member fromsaid spout. V 7 v a 13.'In combination, a dispensingspout, a thread thereon, a closure member having a thread meshing with the spout thread, removable means within said closure member for closing a discharge passage, said thread of said closure member,

ingwith'the spout'thread and passing off the latter to position in which the closure member is freely rotatable with respect to the spout to open and close a discharge passage, means for retaining said closure member in said position,. and a second thread on said spout with which said thread .of said closure member meshes for 15. In combination, a dispensing spout, a thread thereon, a closure memberhaving a thread mesh ing with the spout thread and passing off the latter to position in which'the closure member is freely rotatable with respect to the spout to open'and close a discharge passage, means for, retaining said closure member in said position,

compressing said closure member upon saidspout;

and a second thread on said spout with which said thread of said closure member meshes for compressing said closure member upon said spout when said closure member is in position'to close said discharge passage.

16.'In combination, a dispensing spout, a thread thereon, a closure member having a thread mesh- 'ing with the spout threadand passing' ofi the latter to position in which the closure member is freely rotatable with respect, to the spout to open and close a discharge passage, means for retaining said closure member in said position, a second thread on said spout with which said thread of said closure membermeshes after pre-.

determined extent of rotation of said closure member in said'position for compressing said closure member upon said spout.

17. In combination, a dispensing spout, a

thread thereon, a closure member having a thread meshing with the spout thread and passing off the latter to position in which the closure member is freely rotatable with respect to the spout to open and close a 'dis'ch'arge passage, means for retaining: said closure member in said position, a' second thread on said spout with which said thread of said closure memb'er'meshes after predetermined rotation of said closuremember in said position for compressing said closuremember upon said spout when said closure member is in position to close said discharge passage.

EDWIN W. LODGE. 

